Sphinx on the Padel Court

Maya's palms were practically leaking sweat as she gripped the padel racket, her knuckles white. Why had she agreed to this? Because Tyler, with his stupid perfect hair and his stupid confident grin, had asked her to join the tournament, that's why. And now here she was, about to humiliate herself in front of the entire sophomore class.

The school mascot—a genuinely concerning plaster sphinx that someone had defiled with permanent marker to give itX-ray vision eyeliner—stared down from the gym wall. Its presence had become legendary after last year's senior prank where someone repositioned it to "watch" the showers. The sphinx had seen everything, including Maya's current disaster.

You got this, girl, her best friend Chen mouthed from the sidelines, giving an encouraging thumbs-up. Chen was sitting out with a sprained ankle, living vicariously through Maya's social anxiety.

The game began. Maya actually managed to return Tyler's serve—pure instinct, zero skill. The ball hit the padel court with a satisfying thwack. Maybe she wouldn't completely suck.

Nice shot, Tyler called out, flashing that smile that had somehow made him TikTok famous for a week last semester. His nickname around school was Golden Bear, thanks to his rec league basketball MVP status and that stupidly perfect profile.

Three games in, Maya was sweating through her favorite crop top. But she was also, against all odds, not terrible. Tyler kept finding reasons to high-five her. His hands were warm. This was fine. Everything was fine. Her palms had stopped sweating approximately never, but that was just her nervous system being completely normal about things.

Then it happened. Tyler sent the ball sailing toward the sphinx.

My bad, he laughed, jogging over. But as he reached up, he slipped on something—probably someone's spilled Gatorade—and went down hard. The entire court went silent.

Maya dropped her racket and rushed over. Tyler was clutching his ankle, face twisted in pain.

I'm okay, I'm okay, he said, but his voice cracked. He tried to stand and couldn't.

Coach was already calling for the nurse. Maya helped him sit up, her hand on his shoulder. She could feel him shaking—he was embarrassed.

Hey, she said quietly, remember last year when the seniors made the sphinx wear that tiny sombrero? This is gonna be nothing compared to that.

Tyler looked at her, then actually laughed. That's true. Thanks, Maya.

She helped him to the bench, Chen hopping over to clear a spot. Later, as they waited for Tyler's mom to pick him up from the office, he texted her: Thanks for helping me bear the embarrassment lol. Still up for grabbing boba later?

Maya stared at her phone, her palms finally dry. She typed back: Only if you promise not to make me play padel ever again.

Deal.

The sphinx on the gym wall would have plenty of material to work with after this one.